Members, I'd like to thank a bunch of you for pointing out the poorly constructed aftermarket oil separator boxes (available from FCP, eEuro, Uro, etc...).

During an oil change this weekend, I looked at my FCP separator box which is about 14 months old and noticed what many BB members have mentioned where the upper and lower pieces have separated from one another and oil was seeping out of the seems all over my engine.

Although FCP's sourced option looks like a perfect replica for about $28, the seam joining the two halves together looks like it uses some sort of glue and this had failed. The heat that the engine generates seems to just overpower the construction of this part. I could pry the two pieces open easisly almost halfway around the box.

I went to my dealer and for $47, got the genuine Volvo brand and noticed the two halves seem "heat welded" together, with a thin blob of melted plastic joining the two halves.

All this has been described by a few BB members in practically the same detail. I thought I'd pass on my experience and my agreement with your findings...and thanks!

Original Volvo parts in most cases - I am slowly learning - are the best investment of your money. Sometimes doing it on the cheap the first time costs more in the long run...!